To mark the Centenary of our beloved Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the National Team along with all Regions and Centres have committed to conduct 1008 house (community) bhajans over the two-year period starting 23rd November 2023. Each Centre and Group are requested to encourage their devotees to participate and take the message of our dear Bhagawan out into the community.
Bhajans are one of the flagship activities of the organisation, setup and built by our beloved Bhagwan.
Swami says ” People say that when you go to Sai Baba, there is nothing but bhajans. What a demonstration of oneness is it when myriad throats join in uttering the name of God. The vibrations emanating from them make the heart vibrant. If you sing alone in your shrine, the vibrations return to you as a reaction, but in community singing, what you have is not a reaction, but a wave of vibrations”.
Sri Sathya Sai Centre, Slough held Home Bhajans twice in the month of January 2024. Devotees from the centre volunteered to host the event in their homes.
A selection of pictures are available to view on the media gallery.
This was a unique opportunity organised by the National Team for devotees around the country to come together to plant over 2,000 tree saplings in two different areas in Bedfordshire. One of the areas created a dedicated Tiny Forest which will feature a noticeboard with Swami’s name and message marking this special activity in the area.
This is a long-term initiative, and we will be able to see the forest grow over generations and our Organisation would be responsible for the maintenance of the tiny forest twice a year. The initial tree and shrubs planting took place on two different occasions and in two different areas:
When: Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th January – 600 tree saplings and 600 shrubs were planted in a different area to the Tiny forest. Fewer volunteers were needed and as this was a weekday, it was recommend only adults volunteer for the dates in January. Volunteers were able to attend for the whole day or for 3hrs in the morning or afternoon.
Saturday 10th February – we aimed to plant up to 1,600 trees in the Tiny Forest on this day and required up to 75 volunteers and anyone aged 6 and older were invited to help on this day. Please note that young children were required to have parent/guardian supervision. Volunteers were able attend for the whole day or for 3hrs in the morning or afternoon.
Where: Bedfordshire (exact locations can be found in the FAQs document)
There were a variety of service opportunities from providing transport to catering to the actual tree planting. More information about this activity can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions document.
Please note that we have committed specific number of volunteers for all the dates above and so it was important to make sure that volunteers only registered if they were definitely able to volunteer for this opportunity. If at the last minute the volunteers had an emergency and were unable to attend then they were able to notify us via the WhatsApp group that was created when volunteers had registered.
Tree Planting Project (Bedfordshire) FAQs
Swami has reminded us: “Because there is de-forestation to an alarming extent, the extent of carbon-dioxide in the atmosphere has considerably increased. Therefore, the remedy for this situation is intensive afforestation, growing more tress everywhere and protecting’ the existing trees without destroying them for other purposes.” 21 January 1993
On behalf of the Sri Sathya Sai Organisation United Kingdom, the National Team organised the annual National Office Bearers and Active Workers Conference 2024.
The Conference was a great opportunity for Office Bearers and Active Workers to come together and be informed of the work and objectives as set out by the Organisation and by each of the wings. The conference took place on Saturday 3rd February 2024 at The Hariben Bachubhai Nagrecha Hall, 202 Leyton Rd in Stratford. The conference conference consisted of inspiring talks, a musical programme, and interactive sessions, allowing us the opportunity to share our experiences in ways to take our Sacred Organisation forward.
Registration for the conference closed on 31st January 2024 to allow for catering and other logistical arrangements.
Child Safeguarding – The role of Safeguarding Lead
Following the launch of the National updated child safeguarding policy and guidelines, all Presidents and Bal Vikas Coordinators were required to attend an interactive, one-off mandatory briefing to help them understand their role and responsibilities as safeguarding leads in the Organisation.
Date: Saturday, 24 February 2024
Time: 13:30 – 16:30 hrs
Event Type: Online
Please contact the Bal Vikas Coordinator for any questions or queries.
The Region 2’s annual Shivaratri event took place on Friday, 08 March from 20:00hrs – 02:30 hrs. Devotees immersed themselves in uplifting Vedas, Blissful Bhajans and Delightful Aarti.
The Mahashivaratri celebrations took place on Friday 08th March 2024 at Oxhey Wood Primary School, Oxhey Drive, Watford, WD19 7SL
There were two Bhajan practice events organised by R2 coordinators. The details of the practice events are as follows:
Sunday 18 February 2024 – 11:30 – 14:30 hrs
Heston Sai Centre
LZ Room – Lampton Avenue
Hounslow, TW3 4EP
Sunday, 25 February 2024 – 14:30 – 16:00 hrs
Harrow West Sai Centre
Oxhey Wood Primary School
Oxhey Drive, Watford
WD19 7SL
Sri Sathya Sai Centre, Slough’s annual Shivaratri event coupled together with Mothers Day took place on Sunday, 10 March from 10:30hrs – 14:00 hrs.
The event was well attended by over 70 devotees. The programme started with chanting led by our SSE children, whilst all devotees had the opportunity to perform Shivalingam Abhishekam. This was followed by uplifting vedas, vibrant bhajans delightful Aarti. Devoteers were then able to come forward and offer Mantra Pushpa towards the end.
The special highlight of the day was when our SSE children came forward to say a few words and express their love towards their Mum’s on the occasion of Mothers Day. The event ended with Prashad offerings and devotees enjoyed the whole day which was filled with love.
The Mahashivaratri celebrations took place on Sunday 10th March 2024 at Colnbrook Village Hall, Vicarage Way, Colnbrook, Slough, SL3 0RF.
A selection of pictures are available to view on the media gallery.
